The Role of Circulating Tumour DNA in Head and Neck Cancer

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH · Sep 13, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the use of a new blood test to help diagnose and monitor oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), a type of throat cancer linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV). The researchers want to see if these blood tests can provide a more accurate and less invasive way to track how well patients are responding to treatment, identify when the cancer might come back, and assist doctors in making treatment decisions. This is especially important for patients with non-HPV related OPSCC, who often have a poorer prognosis.

To participate in the trial, you need to be an adult between the ages of 65 and 74 and have been diagnosed with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, whether it's HPV positive or negative. Unfortunately, those under 18, individuals who cannot give consent, and those with other types of cancer are not eligible. If you join the study, you can expect to provide blood samples that will be analyzed for cancer DNA, which may help improve the way your doctors monitor your health and treatment outcomes. Overall, this research aims to enhance care quality and outcomes for OPSCC patients in Scotland.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
• • Both HPV positive and negative disease
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients under 18 years of age
• • Those who lack capacity to consent
• • Patients with non-squamous cell carcinoma
• • Patients with squamous cell carcinoma out with the oropharynx